Vernon sends Shrews into round two
Blackpool's struggles got worse with a 1-0 Capital One Cup defeat at a Shrewsbury side managed by former Tangerines midfielder Micky Mellon.
Scott Vernon's first-half goal sealed a deserved victory for the League Two team.
Shrewsbury applied some early pressure and might have scored three times in the opening 10 minutes. Skipper Connor Goldson flicked a header just wide, Jordan Clark's drive from the edge of the box was deflected inches off target and goalkeeper Joe Lewis had to be alert to smother Vernon's close-range effort.
Lewis then did well to claw away a long-range effort from Clark but he had no answer when the Shrews made a 34th-minute breakthrough.
Ashley Vincent's inviting cross from the right was helped on by James Collins and the experienced Vernon took a touch before finding the back of the net from close range.
Blackpool made little impact as an attacking force although they almost pulled level against the run of play just before half time. Tomasz Cywka's 15-yard shot came back off the inside of a post and Nathan Delfouneso's follow-up was well saved by Swiss goalkeeper Jayson Leutwiler.
Mellon's men pushed for a second goal early in the second half with James Wesolowski and Mark Ellis both just off target while Clark forced another five save from Lewis.
Blackpool carried more of a threat for the half-time introduction of Ishmael Miller but Leutwiler impressively dealt with long-range attempts from both substitute Miller and Delfouneso as Shrewsbury progressed to round two for the first time in three years.
Source: PA
